Marine Conservation Society

Olive ridley

The smallest of the turtles, the olive ridley nests en masse in spectacular events known as arribadas. These turtles face serious threats from fisheries and development.

Leatherback

The huge leatherback is the largest of the marine turtles and is critically endangered. Leatherbacks migrate to UK waters each summer, where they feast on jellyfish.

Green

Perhaps the prettiest of marine turtles, green turtles are mostly herbivorous. Green turtle meat and eggs are considered delicacies in many countries, so hunting has devastated green turtle populations around the world.

Flatback

Flatback turtle hatchlings are the largest and cutest of all the marine turtle babies. They are threatened by accidental capture in fishing gear and nesting beach development and although their status is not known, they depend on conservation efforts for their survival.

Hawksbill

This beautiful turtle has suffered serious decline because of the trade in tortoiseshell, which is made from its attractive shell.

Kemps ridley

This is the rarest marine turtle,with only about 5,000 adult female Kemps ridley turtles left in the world. They nest only a couple of beaches in Mexico and Texas.

Loggerhead

Named for its large head, the loggerhead turtle feeds mostly on shellfish. The loggerhead is the species you are most likely to see while on holiday in the Mediterranean or Florida, where beachfront development threatens the nesting beaches.